Bale handling vehicle



Sept. 25, 1951 W. R. PETERSON ET AL BALE HANDLING VEHICLE Filed Dec. 27, 1946 3 Sheets-Sheet l Sept 25, 1951 W. R. PETERSON ET Al. 2,569,190

BALE HANDLING VEHICLE Filed DeC. 27, 1946 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 SePt- 25., 1951 w. R. PETERSON ET AL 2,569,190

BALE HANDLING VEHICLE 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Dec. 27, 1946 Patented Sept. 25, 1951 UNITED STATE-S PATENT OFFICE BALE HANDLING VEHICLE Walter 1t. Petersen, Hinsdale, ana Adalbert c.

Ra'd'tkenak Park, Ill., assignos to International llarv'e'ster Company, a corporation of New Jersey Application neceilir 27, 1946, serial No. 718,812 7 claims; (c1. 214-44) This invention concerns a trailing" vehicle.` I

Another object is to provide a vehicle'adaplted" to be connected to a baling unit for receiving, transporting and handling baled material. r

It is still another object to provide aninexpesive trailing vehicle adapted to receive baled material from the balingrchamber of a mobile baler, said vehicle including a pallet construction whichis supportedvthereonand is adapted tobe located on the ground vfor Astoring baled material.

It is still another object toAV provide a trailing vehicle Which is adapted for connectionV toga mobile baling device, said trailing vehicle including a platform upon which a pallet'is supported, said platform having ,adjusting-means whereby the same may be lowered tothe ground for locat-l ing saidpallet and bales of baled material :on the ground.

It is still another obj ect toprovide an inexpensive farm trailer that can readily-'be utilized for .anumber of farm chores, one of Asaid'choresbeing the transporting of baleclV material which maybe stored in the eldupon movable pallets.

Other objects-will become more apparent from a reading of the specification when examined Ain conjunction with the accompanying'drawings, in,Y

which: i

Figure l is a diagram-matic plan View showing a'trailing unitr attached tothe rear of a tractordrawn baling unit. Y

Figure 2 is a plan view of the trailing vehicle: with which the present invention isv concerned;

Figure 3 is a side elevational view of said vehicle showing the same in a loweredposition with respect -to the ground;

Figure 4 is a detail sectional view'taken along `the line 4 4 of Figure 2.

relation to la vpal-letV construction, said view `being taken along the line 8 8 of Figure 2,

Figure9 is adiagrammatic view of a pallet con'- struction having `a. number of bales located thereon forstorag purposes. l

lfteferring'A particularly *A to Figure 1, the' rear portion of a mobile power means such 'a tractor is generally indicated by the refere'cevcharac'ter I8.` The tractor I8' consists of abody structure II mounted on'axle housings I2"ca'i"ried on ground Wheels I3. A'drawl-'bars'trcture I4 is connected to the axle housingsv I n2''adfprbjctsrearwardly thereof. A balingmun't I5 is'c`onnected to the drawba'r structure I4" and consists' essentially of a hay pick-up means- I6. The hay pick-up means I6 supplies materi'alto an auger feed, not shown, encased in' the structure I1.` The material is carried from the structure I 1 to a balingchamber I8 Whereupnitlisformed into baleid'uits indicated by the reference character I9.'

Referring now pa'rtic'zula'rly` to Figures 1,`2, and 3, a'trailig vehicle" is gelrally' designated bythe reference character 28. The trailing vehicle 26 is connected at its forwardend' to the baling unit I5 "by mansof a triangular `sloping combined receiving.4 and hitch'frame 2|. The hitch frame 2I consistsof divergng side members 22" and' anupper screen "member'23`.` The side members 22 are rigidly connectedat their rearward' portions by means' ofY a transversely extendingr tubular 'member 24. The tubular member 24 may be formed, as'shown 'in the present construction, by two channel members 24 being Welded along their channel ends to frmla rigid tubular structure. Transverse supporting members 25' further serveto rigidlysecure the members 22 in the triangularform'.

Connected at their forward ends to they transverse tubular member 24 are a'pair. of laterally spaced, longitudinally extending 'end"membes 26. A center member 21 is also rigidly connected to the" transversev member' 24' and extends Vrearwardly between said end `members 26. As 'best shown in Figure 8, the end members 26 and the center member 21 maybe suitably yformed of sheet metal material welded together to form a rigid box'section` thereby'fun'ctioning as asupporting l platform generally designatedn by the reference character 28. The'centermember '21 is-laterally spaced with respect-to the' inward ends of..each end member 26 to-form; awpair oflcngitudinally extending open;y endj slots 29fin Ythe 'platform-,28; As best shownv inf'Fgules .1; 2; and'8;'a: removable pallet 36 is supported on 'thegs'upportng platformi 28. The pallet 30 consistsof transversely extending spaced members 3 I; rand longitudinally lextending ground-engaging; members 32;4 As best shown in Figure 8, the longitudinally extend- .end of the shaft 4|.

ing ground-engaging members 32 lie within the slots 29 and extend downwardly in said slots below the members 26 and 21 which comprise the platform 28.

The transverse ends of the tubular member 24 are closed by means of a bearing plate 33 which is rigidly secured thereto. A pair of laterally spaced stub shafts 34 are connected to the tubular member 24 and project outwardly through the bearing plates 33. Each of the stub shafts 34 pivotally carries a rearwardly extending tubular arm 35. Each tubular arm 35 has a shaft 36 connected at its rearmost end on which is journaled a ground wheel 31.

The platform 28 may be vertically adjusted with respect to the groundby means of a winch arrangement Agenerally designated by the reference character 48. The winch arrangement 46 is of the Chinese windlass type and consists primarily of a tubular shaft 4I which extends transversely through the tubular member 24 and is j ournaled on the members 33. An enlarged winch vmember or pulley 42 is rigidly secured to each I Each pulley 42 has an end portion of a exible element 43 securely wound around the same. A clamping-arrangement 44 clamps one end of the flexible element 43 to the pulley 42, said securing element 44 also serving Each flexible element 43 extends through each tubular arm 35 and as best shown in Figure 4, over one of a pair of sheaves 45 which is pivotally journaled on an annular cloy sure member 46 fastened to the end of each tubular arm 35. The exible element 43 is routed from the sheave 45 over a sheave 41, which is pivotally connected by means of a bracket 48 to each longitudinally extending end member 26 by means of a, pin and bracket arrangement 49. The exible element 43 is routed from the sheave l41 back through the tubular arms 35, and the free end of said flexible element is rigidly con- 4 by means of a section of wire serving as a clamping element 6|.

A release lever 62, as best shown in Figures 3, 5, and 6, is connected to a release element 63 which is journaled on one of the stub shafts 34.

. The release element 63 includes vertically spaced -to connect the winch element 42 rigidly to the `shaft 4|.

nected and wound around the shaft 4|, as best` y .shown in Figures 2, 5, andV 7. A securing means 58 rigidly secures said flexible element to the shaft 4I'.

It can readily be seen that upon rotation of `the shaft 4| a Chinese windlass-type of winch Y is provided for vertically adjusting the platform 28 with respect to the ground. The shaft 4| is rotated by means of a pawl and ratchet mechavnism generally indicated by the reference charcured together by means of a transverse wall 53.

The plate members 52 are journaled for pivotal movement on the end of the transverse shaft 4| A manual lever 54 is 'rigidly connected to the plate members 52 as best shown in Figure 6. A ratchet wheel 55 is rigidly secured to the shaft 4| by means of a pin 56, said ratchet being positioned .between the plate members 52.` A pawl 51 is pivotally mounted on the plate members 52 and;

is adapted to engage the teeth of the ratchet 55. The pawl 51 is connected to a link 58 which extends through a stop member 59 formed by a bent end of the transverse wall 53. The link 58 is further provided with a spring 66, which is in abutment with the stop 59, and a pin 6| extending through the link 58.

The end of the link 58 is connected to a hand lever 60 which is piv- `otally mounted on the manual lever 54 and is adapted to be locked against said manual lever teeth 64 and 65 which are adapted to alternately engage teeth of the ratchet 55 upon rocking movement of said release element 63 about stub shaft 34. Laterally spaced strap members 66 are positioned over the stub shafts 34 and the ends of the transversely extending member 4|.

During the operation of the baler, bales I9 are ejected from the baling chute as the baler is moving over the ground. The bales I9 are received on the receiving platform 2|. An operator stationed on the supporting platform 28 handles the bales and places them in a piled orderly fashion on the pallet 30. When the pallet 38 has a predetermined number of bales located thereon. the tractor and the baling unit are brought to a rest. The pawl 51 is at this point locked out of engagement with the ratchet 55 by means of the clamping wire 6|'. The operator thereupon actuates the manual release lever 62 in a rocking motion about the stub shaft 34, thereupon permitting the ratchet 55 to move in a clockwise direction. As the ratchet 55 moves in a clockwise direction, the transverse shaft 4| moves in the same direction. The exible element of the Chinese-type windlass winch thereupon lowers the platfform 28 with respect to the ground. The platform 28 is now in a position where it is either resting on or is substantially close to the ground. Since the pallet 3l] is provided with longitudinally extending members 32 which project below the platform 28, the pallet will in this position also be located upon the ground. The operator therefore again initiates forward movement of the tractor and its baler, thereupon moving the platform 28 forwardly from beneath the pallet. After the vehicle 20 is free of the pallet, the operator thereupon rotates the lever 54, causing the pawl 51 to rotate the ratchet 55 and shaft 4| in a counterclockwise direction, thereby winding up the flexible element 43 to cause vertical movement of the platform 28 into the position desired. When it is desired 'to again lower the platform, the hand lever 60 is locked against the lever 54 by means of the wire 6| so that the pawl 51 may be free of the teeth of the ratchet 55, thereby again permitting lowering of the platform by means of the release lever 62.

As best shown in Figure 9, the baled hayis stored upon the pallet 30. The upper portion of the stack of baled material is covered by a tarpaulin 68 which has its end tucked under the rst layer of bales as indicated at 69. The tarpaulin may be made of canvas or any other suitable weather-proof material. The pallet 39, as best shown in Figure 2, is readily collapsible since 'the transverse members 3| are loosely connected with respect to the longitudinal members 32. Thus pallets of this type can be collapsed and a limited number of them may be carried on the vehicle 26| as it is operated through the field. The operation is repeated until the predetermined quantity of baled material has been stored and disposed of on the pallets as indicated.

The construction shown permits the storing of baled material, such as hay, in an eiicient and effective manner, it being therefore unnecessary for the farmer to construct large and expensive hay storage buildings. The farmer is thus able viously described.l He thenA moves' the trailing.

vehicle rearwardly until the platformis directly underneath the pallet and the 'longitudinal n2,1369;remo

erally spaced longitudinally yextending 'end members anda longitudinalk center" member, said center member being positioned' between and having itssidesspaced .from said "end members-to formV 'longitudinally' extending'open end slots through 'said platform, theplatform being adapt#- ed to support av pallet havingl longitudinally extending laterally spaced members -lying in said slots and' adaptedy to project downwardly through theV slots below* said platform,v stub shafts" connected to and extending-outwardly ,from thesides of the platform,` arms pivotally f connectedtol the stub shafts and' extending'reare members of said pallet areA lying withinthe -slots 29 of the platform 28. Afterraising'the platform 28"and the loaded pallet,"he is ready tomove the baled units to the'place'desired. o

It thus is readily apparent .that anovclvertical construction has been disclosed which -permits an efficient and unique method of" handling baled material. It is to be understood that changes in the presentconstruction'may be made which do not depart fromgthe spirit of theinvention as disclosednor the scope thereof as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A vehicle adapted-tob'e connected to a baling device for 4receiving balesgfromaf baling chamber, the vehicle includinga supporting said end members to formiloi'igitudinallyextend-` ing open end slots in sa-idplatform, said platform being adapted to support a pallet having supporting portions lying within said slots and.l

adapted to project downwardly `through the slots below said platform, laterally spacedlarms pivotally connected to said platform and-.means for adjusting said arms withv respect tothe ground thereby vertically adjusting said platform with respectv to the ground whereby supportingportions of a pallet maybe "located'on theground and said platform may be withdrawn'fromthe pallet. 2. A wheeled `vehicleadaptedto be connected to the rear of a baling device for receiving bales from a baling chamber, the vehicle comprising a receiving frame, a supporting platform extending rearwardly of said receiving frame, said sup-v' porting platform including laterally spaced longitudinally extending end members connected to said receiving frame, and a longitudinally extending center member spaced with respect to said end members to form longitudinally extending open end slots in said platform, said platform being adapted to support a pallet having longitudinally spaced supporting members lying in said slots and having portions adapted to project downwardly through the slots below said platform, arms pivotally connected at their forward ends adjacent the sides of said platform and extending rearwardly with respect to their point of connection, ground wheels journalled on said arms, and means for adjusting the rear ends of said arms with respect to the ground thereby vertically adjusting said platform with respect to the ground whereby the longitudinal members of the pallet may be located on the ground and the platform may be withdrawn from beneath the pallet.

3. A vehicle adapted to be connected to a baling device for receiving bales from a baling chamber, the vehicle including a supporting platform, said supporting platform including latwardly withv respect to their point of connection, a ground wheel journalied on each' arm; and

means for adjusting'saidiarms with respect to the ground therebyv adjusting `said vplatform with respect to the ground, whereby the-'pallet may be located on the ground and the lplatform may be withdrawn from the pallet.

4'. A wheeled vehicle adapted to beconnected .to a baling devicefor receiving balesHfr'om--a 'baling chamber, the lvehicle including afreceive ing frame, a supporting platform connectedto said receiving frame, said supporting platter-irlv including laterally spaced longitudinally extendingA end members and a longitudinal :centermemfber, said `center member being positioned1 between and having its sides'spacedfrom'said-fend members'to form longitudinally extending open end slots through said platform, the platform being adapted to support a pallet vhaving longitudinally extending 'laterally spaced'members lying in said slotsvand adapted to project down` wardly through the slots below said platform, arms pivotallyv connected adjacent'said` platform and extending rearwardly with respect tof their point of connection; a-groundwheel journalled on each arm, and Winch means'for'adjusting said arms with respect to the ground thereby ad# justing said platform with vrespect to the ground whereby the longitudinal members of the pallet may be locatedv on the ground and the platform may be withdrawn from beneath the pallet.

5. A wheeled vehicleV adapted to be connected Vto'a baling device for receiving bales fronra baling chamber, the vehicle comprising a receiving frame, a transversely extending member rigidly connected to the rear portion of said receiving frame, a supporting platform associated with said receiving frame, said supporting platform including laterally spaced longitudi nally extending end members connected to said transversely extending member, and a longitudinal center member connected at its forward end to said transverse member, said center member being positioned between and having its sides spaced from said end members to form longitudinally extending open end slots through said platform, said platform being adapted to support a pallet having longitudinally extending laterally spaced supporting members lying in said slots and projecting downwardly through the slots below the platform, arms pivotally connected at their forward ends adjacent the sides of said platform and extending rearwardly with respect to their point of connection, a ground wheel journalled on the rear portion of each arm, a power means for adjusting the rear ends of said arms with respect to the ground thereby vertically adjusting the platform with respect to the ground whereby the longitudinal members of the pallet may be located on the ground and the platforms may be withdrawn from beneath the pallet.

www

6. A Wheeled vehicle adapted to be connected to a baling device for receiving bales from a baling chamber, the vehicle comprising! a triangular receiving frame, a transversely extending tubular member rigidly connected to the rear l portion of said receiving frame, a supporting platform associated with said receiving frame,- said supporting platform including longitudinally .extending end members having their forward portions connected to said tubular member and .a longitudinal supporting member connected at .its forward end to said tubular member, said supporting member being positioned between and ,having its sides spaced from said end members to form longitudinally extending open end slots -:through said platform, said platform being adapted to support a pallet having longitudinally 4extending laterally spaced members lying in said ,slots and adapted to project downwardly through the slots below said platform, tubular arms pivot- 4ally connected at their forward ends to said platform and extending rearwardly with respect to 4their point of connection, a ground wheel journalled on the rear portion of each arm, means for vertically adjusting said platform with respect to the ground including a transverse rotatable shaft journalled within said tubular member, a plurality of sheaves connected -to said arms, a sheave on each of said longitudinally extending end members, a flexible element extending through each of said arms and over said sheaves, the free ends of each flexible member being connected to said transverse shaft, a

4to the rear of a baling device forreceiving bales from a baling chamber, the vehicle comprising la, triangular sloping receiving frame, a transversely 'extending tubular member rigidly connected to the rear portion of said receiving frame, a supporting platform associated with 8 said receiving frame, said supporting platform including laterally spaced vlongitudinally extending end members having their forward portions connected to said tubular member and a longitudinal center member connected at its forward end to said tubular member, said center member being positioned between and having rits sides spaced from said end members to formlongitudinally'extending open end slots through said platform, the platform being adapted to support a pallet having longitudinally extending laterally spaced members lying in said slots and adapted to project downwardly through the slots below said platform, tubular arms pivotally connected at their forward ends to said platform and extending rearwardly with respect to their point of connection, a ground Wheel journalled on the rear portion of each arm, means for vertically adjusting said platform with respect to the ground including a transverse rotatable shaft journalled within said tubular member, a plurality of sheaves within said hollow arms, a sheave on each of said longitudinally extending end members, a flexible element extending through each of said tubular arms and over said sheaves, the free ends of each flexible member being connected to said transverse shaft, a pawl and ratchet-mechanism to rotate said shaft and raise said platform, and release means for lowering said platform to a position whereby the longitudinal members of the pallet will rest upon the ground and said vehicle may be withdrawn from beneath the pallet.

WALTER R. PETERSON. ADELBERT C. RADTKE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Hunziker Dec. 4, 1945 

